Age-related changes in the distribution pattern of glycosaminoglycans synthesized by cultured human diploid fibroblasts (WI-38).
A gradual decline in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, as evidenced by reduced rates of incorporation of [35S] sulfate and [14C] glucosamine into cellular and medium glycosaminoglycans, was observed during the last (about 5) population doublings before phase-out. The decline was accompanied by a change in the distribution pattern of individual glycosaminoglycans with a relative decrease in the incorporation rate of [14C] glucosamine into cellular and medium hyaluronic acid. The incorporation rate of [14D] glucosamine and [35S] sulfate into cellular and medium heparan sulfate continually increased during the last population doublings ("senescence"). The possibility of a coupling between cell growth and hyaluronic acid synthesis or an involvement of hyaluronic acid in the adhesion of cells (among one another or/and to the substratum), and the functional significance of heparan sulfate as a growth inhibitor were discussed.
D000375:Aging; D002470:Cell Survival; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism
D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D005944:Glucosamine; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D012964:Sodium; D013431:Sulfates; C012036:sodium sulfate